Name:   architect - Subject:   Preacher stories Date:   8/25/2014 8:03:29 PM (updated 8/25/2014 8:09:05 PM)

Over the years I have enjoyed preacher stories.  They are mostly Methodist (as am I) and always told as true events but I think they are, preacher or not, somewhat embellished a bit with each telling.  My 3 favorites:

A Methodist Bishop at a conference is cornered by a minister who insists on introducing him to a wealthy and influential member of his congregation who is much too aware of his own importance.  After too many self congradulatory words the man says he must excuse himself to meet his wife for dinner explaining "This is our anniversary, married 40 years and we have never had a disagreement in all those years."  After he leaves the Bishop cautions the pastor to always be wary of anything the man says "You never know, he's as likely as not to lie about other things too!"

A theology student at Emory is sent to a small church in Choestoe Valley in the North GA mountains to fill in for a few weeks while the minister is sidelined for surgery  After his first Sunday sermon a member invites the student preacher to come for supper Thursday night.  The young man arrives at the appointed hour and, finding nobody home, relaxes in a porch rocker.  After about 20 minutes the host and hostess arrive in an old pickup and a cloud of dust.  The man and woman rush to greet the preacher apologizing for their tardiness. The man explains "An old and much respected resident of the valley died last Tuesday and he was buried today with our Baptist preacher Brother Brown presiding.  Brother Brown does love the sound of his own voice and loves to hold forth with it for as long as he thinks he can git away with it ever time he gits the chance. If I was condemned to hang and offered a last request I'd opt for a sermon by Brother Brown.  In the 1st instance I know it would delay the hangin for at least 3 hours and, in the 2d instance after bout 2 hours of Brother Brown's preaching I'd start lookin forwards to the hangin."

A newly ordained minister was sent to his first assignment as an associate minister at a church in Augusta.  A prominent member often drove a 40 year old but well maintained car which he and all who knew him called the "Mayflower".  After a couple of weeks the new preacher had the opportunity to meet the member for morning coffee at a downtown cafe.  Sure enough the man arrives in the "Mayflower". The preacher inquires "Harold, why do you call that old car the 'Mayflower'?"  "Well preacher, my daddy gave me that car when I started my sophmore year at UGA and I've loved and kept it ever since.  I started to call it the 'Mayflower' while in college because quite a few little puritans came across in it."